The Early History of Delhi

Delhi's early history, spanning from the Stone Age to the medieval period, is revealed through archaeological discoveries. Surface finds and excavations at sites like Anangpur show human activity dating back tens of thousands of years. Protohistoric remains unearthed at Bhorgarh and Mandoli, along with Ashoka’s Minor Rock Edict I, indicate Maurya influence in the region as early as the 3rd century BCE. The Qutb complex, a medieval site, preserves enigmatic Gupta-period structures, while Lal Kot provides evidence of Rajput and early Sultanate phases. Despite sparse textual, archaeological, epigraphic, and numismatic records, these findings outline the evolution of Delhi’s rural and urban settlements long before its rise as a significant political center.

Singh, U. (2019). The Early History of Delhi. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Asian History. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277727.013.221